Dana Goerzen
Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology Program
Weill Cornell Graduate School, New York NY 10065
Email: [email protected]
Phone number: (917)-478-8152
Project Title:
Development of Liquid-Biopsy Nanosensor Platform to Detect Intracranial Tumors and Facilitate Biomarker Discovery
I completed my undergraduate studies at McGill University in Neuroscience and Math prior to joining the Cancer Nanomedicine Laboratory. My current doctoral research in the Heller lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre aims to develop a novel diagnostic and triage platform for neurological tumors. In this work, I am leveraging the photophysical properties of a fluorescent nanomaterial, carbon nanotubes, to detect disease states from blood plasma. My approach leverages an initial analyte-agnostic array of molecular sensors that simultaneously probe multiple molecular species at once and transduce a molecular “fingerprint” of disease. This approach suggests the possibility of identifying novel diagnostic biomarkers of disease. In parallel, I am employing proteomic methods to identify novel biomarkers of disease that confer the disease-specific sensor responses.
In addition to my primary thesis research, I have become passionate about advocating for evidence-based regulatory policy regarding carbon nanomaterials. I am collaborating with scientists at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University to develop a holistic policy framework for nanocarbons that will promote human health and environmental safety while not unduly hindering scientific innovation.
My research is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Research Award (Funding Number 193220) and the General Atlantic Doctoral Fellowship.